Hellertown May Host State Softball Tournament This Summer

It's not yet official, but there's a good chance that Hellertown will host a state softball tournament this summer, Hellertown-Lower Saucon Little League President Chris Moughan told Borough Council members March 7.

District 20 has asked the little league association to host a girls softball tournament from July 20-24 at , he explained.

"It would be a huge undertaking by the volunteers," Moughan said, adding that attendance over the five-day period would likely total in the thousands.

"We could expect anywhere from 600 to 1,000 people a day attending the event," he said. "Hopefully they (would) stay here and patronize our local businesses and give them a little boost that week."

Moughan said that one of the potential obstacles to hosting the tournament would likely be parking.

However, he has already contacted Saucon Valley Athletic Director Bob Frey to arrange for the possible use of the school district's parking lots, which would otherwise be empty at that time of year, he said.

Hellertown Public Works Director Tom Henshaw suggested the parking lot and the grassy area north of the as possible additional locations for auxiliary parking, although use of the latter would necessitate the use of an attendant.

"I think it's a great idea," Henshaw replied, when asked by council members to share his thoughts about the proposed tournament.

He would check to see if the Dimmick Park pavilion has already been reserved by anyone during the time the tournament would be held, he added.

Police Chief Robert Shupp also said he would likely support the tournament coming to Hellertown.

"I don't see a problem," he said, adding that he would like to review the details.

Moughan said that four games would be played each day, with the first game beginning at 10am and the last game beginning at 5:30pm. Since the little league fields at Dimmick Park aren't lit, the games would be concluded by about 7:30pm.

The final decision about whether or not to bring the tournament to Hellertown will rest with District 20, Moughan said, but Hellertown Borough Council threw their support behind the proposal by unanimously approving a motion authorizing Moughan to proceed with the negotiations.

Moughan said the organizers of the high-profile tournament were attracted to Hellertown by the superior quality of its little league facilities.